Today we are talking about a recurring problem that affects, if not all, then a great many women: cellulite. Every year we have to fight it by means of exercises, diet, creams and so on. Let us therefore delve deeper into the subject, examining the various treatments and good habits to adopt to combat the hated orange peel. But let us begin by understanding what cellulite is and why it forms.

What is cellulite

Cellulite is a skin blemish that manifests itself with the well-known pitted appearance known as 'orange peel' .The problem, however, concerns the underlying connective tissue: it is at this level that a fat accumulation is created with increase in the volume of fat cells. These accumulations are concentrated in specific areas such as thethighs, hips and buttocks .The main cause of the development of cellulite is oestrogen, female hormones that have the characteristic of retaining fluid. As a result, the subcutaneous fat cells swell to the point of rupturing, causing triglycerides to leak out and expand between the cells, creating microcirculation problems and swellings that give rise to the typical appearance we all know.

The solutions to this problem exist and are varied, the important thing is to carefully choose the most suitable treatment for your specific case and, to do this, a medical diagnosis carried out in a specialised centre and by professionals is necessary. It is first necessary to establish the type of cellulite, the stage at which it is found, and then the most suitable treatment to cure it. In any case, there are basic, natural treatments and good habits that we can all take to improve the appearance of our skin and for the success of any medical treatment we choose.

Natural treatments and good habits

• A correct diet and the right physical activity are the basis for the success of any treatment and, above all, are indispensable for maintaining the results obtained. Among the best sports activities to combat cellulite, we recommend running, brisk walking and the exercise bike, which are excellent for slimming, but also for firming and combating orange peel skin.
• Anti-cellulite creams: there are many on the market. The 4 fundamental actions of a good anti-cellulite cream are: lipolytic action that activates cellular metabolism and reduces the accumulation of fat cells; draining and diuretic action that eliminates excess liquids; action thatimproves blood circulation; protective action of the capillaries that strengthens the walls compressed by cellulite, preventing them from breaking.
• Drink plenty of water: weall know that water is in fact the best ally for cleansing the body of toxins, revitalising those physiological mechanisms that serve to promote diuresis and lymphatic circulation. One must drink at least 1.52 litres of water a day to prevent and control cellulite.
• Anti-cellulite massages: these are an excellent trick to speed up the process.They regenerate tissues, reactivate and oxygenate the connective layer of the skin, drain liquids and eliminate waste and toxins more easily. The lymphatic drainage massage is the one considered most effective, at least for those at an early stage of the problem, as it reactivates the lymphatic system, resolving stagnant liquids by facilitating their flow towards the main nodes. Another type of massage, which acts deeper, with greater energy and intensity, is the connective tissue massage, which has the task of reactivating tissues, dissolving cellulite blockages, reactivating circulation and improving metabolism.

Aesthetic medicine treatments

Once these good habits are put into practice,aesthetic medicine can really make a difference in treating cellulite. Among the most suitable treatments to combat cellulite, we highlight two in particular: lipolysitherapy and the brand new Cellfina treatment.

Pharmacological lipolysitherapy is a non-surgical method that exploits the action of certain active ingredients that can be injected dermally and subcutaneously inorder to reduce the volume of localised adiposity. This involves the mesotherapeutic injection of solutions with a high fat-emulsifying capacity with a progressive lytic effect on the fat cells treated. The treatment is reserved exclusively for localised adipose accumulations such as: hips, abdomen, underarms, inner knees, arms and legs.

TheCellfina treatment involves the use of innovative equipment used to treat cellulite . It has been used in the United States for some years and is now also available in Italy. Cellfina acts precisely on the primary structural cause of cellulite. By severing the fibrous septa, it allows the skin to be released, which consequently appears relaxed and smoothed. The treatment is carried out by applying, in the areas to be treated, a device that, without cuts or incisions, lifts the skin by means of a vacuum system to keep the fibrous septa to be cut in tension. A handpiece is applied to this device to cut the fibrous septa, using a sharp needle. This is a truly innovative instrumentation that allows for maximum precision.

The treatment requires local anaesthesia and is therefore painless, and you can return home immediately afterwards and resume your normal daily activities. And... hear hear... the Cellfina treatment can also be carried out in the summer, for those who want to be on the safe side even after the season has started. The only necessary precaution concerns sun exposure of any haematomas, for which the utmost care and the use of a 50+ sunscreen is recommended.